Niger group urges ‘mutual options’ as ECOWAS tightens screws on junta

A Niger-based group, Coalition of Civil Liberty Organization in Niger Republic (CODDAE), Maradi-State, has faulted the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for fresh sanctions on the Niger Republic.

The Coalition stated this in a statement on Tuesday, expressing worry over the overbearing diplomatic policies being marvelled by the regional union against the Niger Republic, insisting that ECOWAS should have reconsidered better options to resolve the military invasion in Niger mutually.

ECOWAS, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, in its resolution, imposed fresh sanctions on the junta in Niger. The regional bloc had given the coupists seven days to reinstate President Bazoum or risk sanctions, including possible military action.

Leading hundreds of Nigeriens on peaceful public protest at Tribune public arena in Maradi, the Coalition leader, Abdu Dan Neito, said ECOWAS is inflicting more economic pain and hardship on the citizens rather than resolving the leadership crisis.

Neito raised concern on the particular interest of President Tinubu on the Niger matter and wondered why similar equal pressure is yet to be seen against other neighbouring African countries where military government superimposed.

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The Coalition had enjoyed President Tinubu’s rather upswing energy on abuse of democratic dispensation and violation of the rule of law under his careful administration in Nigeria.

Essentially, the group faulted President Tinubu’s interference in the governorship election petitions in Kano, Plateau, and Zamfara States under the opposition parties the President is working to take over.

The group said Tinubu is orchestrating double standards in his supposed democratic intervention in Niger while violating the democratic process in Kano, Plateau and Zamfara States governorship election trials to favour his party.

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Neito called for appropriate diplomatic sanctions by the United Nations and the European Union against Nigeria for invading and influencing judicial judgment against the three States.

They equally solicited the support of the 19 Northern Nigerian States as brothers bound in economic, social and cultural umism dating back to the pre-independence era to rescue Niger in her humanitarian crisis.

The Coalition made a specific cordial relationship between Niger and Kano in the area of commerce, trade and marital affairs, appealing to the Kano state government to prevail on the present hardship in Niger.